The Fraser River is Canada's second-longest river and the largest on the west coast of North America. It holds a wealth of history, culture, and wildlife and has been a major contributor to the development of Canada's economy.
The Fraser River is approximately 1,400km (870 miles) long, flowing from the Rocky Mountains and emptying into the Salish Sea. It has numerous tributaries, the greatest being the Thompson River, which flows into it from the east.
The Fraser River plays a major role in the lives of salmon, as numerous species, such as chinook and sockeye, use the river as their spawning ground. Its waters are also used by many species of birds, fish, beavers, and other mammals.
The Fraser River was named after an explorer, Simon Fraser, who first explored it in 1808. He was greeted by Indigenous people who had occupied the land for thousands of years.
The Fraser River is home to one of Canada's most popular and largest cities, Vancouver. It supplies the city with imported lumber, minerals, and oil.
The Fraser Canyon is one of the Fraser River's most distinct features, as it is a narrow gorge that runs along the river for over a hundred kilometers. It was formed by glaciers and is now filled with huge eddies and powerful waterfalls.
The Fraser River hosts several large ports, including Port Metro Vancouver, the largest port on the west coast of North America. It is a major port for overseas goods and an access point for trade to Asia.
The Fraser River supports many other activities and industries, such as fishing, boating, and sightseeing. Many towns and villages have also sprung up along the river's banks, providing unique opportunities for recreation and leisure.
Every year, the Fraser River witnesses a spectacular event where millions of salmon return to spawn in the Fraser River's waters. This event, called the Salmon Run, draws thousands of onlookers who come to admire the natural beauty.
The Fraser River has been used to irrigate the lands along its banks for many years. Agriculture is an important economic contributor in the Fraser Valley, and the river has been an essential component of the region's development.
The Fraser River has long been integral to Indigenous culture. Indigenous peoples have used its waters for fishing and gathering spiritual and ceremonial knowledge for thousands of years.
